Return Of The Nic

02 Dec 2013 16:33:52

Second spells as boss of Cowdenbeath FC are rare.

56 year old former Rangers, Manchester United and Northern Ireland defender Jimmy Nicholl is the first Cowdenbeath manager to return for a second spell in charge of the Central Park side since the original inception of the Scottish Premier League in season 1975/6.While the self-styled 'Blue Brazil' have never played in the top tier in the last 40 years their place in the Scottish Championship constitutes their best Scottish League placing since one season in the top tier in 1970/1 and a continued run as a top division club in the 1920's when they reached their highest ever Scottish League placing of fifth in the top flight.Nicholl had a year in charge at Cowden in season 2010/11 before joining fellow Northern Irishman Kenny Shiels at Kilmarnock as his assistant. Nicholl,who took Raith into Europe on the back of a League Cup final win over Celtic in the mid-1990's, then moved onto help out as a coach at Hibs but since Terry Butcher brought in his own staff to Easter Road the Old Trafford legend has been looking for a new challenge."The Chairman (former Rangers board member Donald Findlay) has said my job here is to simply win football matches so that suits me just fine." said Nicholl in a press conference today. "I've always had a soft spot for Cowdenbeath FC and players here have to be aware that a continued run in the Championship for this club is something the local populace will take a lot of pride in. The players could also improve their own status if they stay in this division as it is possible two of Scotland's biggest clubs (Hearts and Rangers) could be on our fixture list next season. Any player worth his salt would love to face these teams and don't forget there is also a real chance of four Fife derbies against old rivals The Pars (Dunfermline). I know Cowdenbeath fans would love to see that fixture in 2014/15. I hope local folk will turn out to support us when Livingston visit for a League game this Saturday. Hopefully, this will be the first step in keeping Cowdenbeath in the Championship and I am looking forward to the challenge of lifting us above the relegation zone."Former manager Colin Cameron's assistant Lee Makel will remain as number two at Central Park for the second era of Jimmy Nic at the Blue Brazil.